Pages

Friday, February 17, 2012

Brought to you by Mom

Being a mom is the most demanding thing I've ever done. I adore Genevieve, but there are more than a few moments where I feel utterly incompetent and wonder what I've gotten myself into. Fortunately, I have a ridiculous amount of help and support.

Sweater made by DangerMouse's Auntie Dynasty

I have always known that my mother is amazing; now, I understand how that is a complete understatement. Every time I feel like I'm falling short on all counts (parenting-wise), she says or does something to make me feel like I haven't just gone skydiving without a parachute. She makes it all look easy. Effortless.

Which brings me to my point. Every time something appears to be effortless-a party, someone's appearance, or in this case, appearing to grow extra arms and doing Mom-Fu - it is the opposite of effortless. It takes a LOT of work. I could be bitter and claim that I was duped by her masterful parenting, but that would be ridiculous. Instead, I'll brag.

Mom has kept a watchful eye over us. I have been dealing with a breastfeeding issue (over-production, forceful letdown), and Mom has been coaching me- and helping me get to appointments with the lactation nurses when she maxed out what she could do to help.

She reassures me when I'm certain I'm doing a terrible job; she answers my parenting questions. And oh, does she laugh when I am under fire. (Parents, you know what I'm talking about.)

When I'm exhausted, Mom comes over, changes diapers, makes coffee, tidies around the house- you name it. So that I can get a little extra sleep.

It's remarkable what a little extra sleep can do for you. Little things don't seem so overwhelming. The sun shines brighter. Laundry (that your mother did while you were sleeping) smells better. Even the coffee (that she made) seems to taste sweeter.

I'm sure you are doing an excellent job of being a mom. It isn't easy. It is great to have support, I have a great mother in law, who also does laundry, which is awesome. Hang in there. Your overproduction will even out and your tiredness will go away and you start doing diapers in autopilot. Enjoy every moment with you little one they grow up fast.

Overproduction is a hard thing to deal with, so I'm glad you have people around to help you.I'll bet your mother felt out on a limb when she first became a mother, but has the experience now. Enjoy the support, you deserve it.

Yay for grandma Gigi. Yes sleep makes everything so much better and having a new baby for the first time is a hard job - they dont come with an instruction manual unfortunately. She looks so beautiful with all her dark hair. Glad you have lots of support around you too!

It makes my heart sing, at recalling all the wonderful memories of my own mother when my son was born. I love hearing how your relationship with your mother has changed. A newfound respect.

Sleeping is good to gain strength for the rest of the day. But there will be times, even though danger mouse is an angel now, that it will be more fun to spend time with you then take that much needed nap. For her to, the world is a better place after a good nap.

Gigi is awesome. The first few weeks with the twins were aweful, with them beeing so tiny (preemies) and me beeing so overwhelmed and suffering from ppd. My mum and my MIL were awesome at that time, giving me the feeling, that I did not fail at every second.

(although I have to admit, that I would have rather taken overproduction than the 200ml milk I had a day. There wasn't enough milk for the twins and I thought I had failed again...)

How truly lucky we are to have moms (and everyone else) who can make things better. One of the toughest lessons I learned was how messy being a grown up really is. My parents always made things look so easy growing up. I realized that it was the appearance of easy and that it really did take a lot of work to keep everything running so smoothly. You will do a great job and years from now your daughter will be amazed by you too!

You are so fortunate to have GiGi so closely. I am two hours from my daughter, son-in-law and 14 month old grandson, so I am not the help I would like to be. It amazed me, when our daughter was born, how extremely intelligent my Mom became - overnight, with the snap of a finger! Genevieve is so beautiful. Treasure all of these moments, as she will grow up fast. ......and yes, the coffee is better, the sun is brighter, and the laundry smells sweeter because of dear GiGi!

So good to hear that all is ok - she is sooooo beautiful. What a lovely post for your mum - it really touched me. I am not a mum but have another pretty amazing one, maybe I should tell her that more often. Best wishes C

i can completely and totally relate to this post. i had my first baby on august 31, 2011. it was a completely amazing, yet extremely difficult change in my life. i too dealt with over-production as well as forceful let-down. i would cry when nursing him. it does get better. at 2-3 months, you will hit what is referred to as "the sweet spot" and nursing will be an enjoyable experience and a unique time of bonding between you and G. my son is 5.5 months old now, and i so miss those first couple of months, as hard as they were. being a mama is the best thing in the world, so just take a deep breath, admit when you need help, and sleep when she sleeps ;)

Don't steal, mmmmkay?

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Jasmin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.